20th Annual Actual Innocence

Overview

Co-Sponsored with Texas A&M School of Law (A&M) and Innocence Project of Texas (IPTX)

Registration is required to attend. Details including registration and tuition information, the agenda, presenters and approved CLE credit, will be posted here once confirmed.

Join us for a landmark two-day conference celebrating 20 years of Actual Innocence programming at The Center for American and International Law and 20 years of dedicated advocacy by the Innocence Project of Texas.

This milestone event will focus on problems that still exist in the criminal justice system, exploring reasons why wrongful convictions happen and what can be done to prevent them in the future. We will be joined by leading innocence advocates, as well as judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement professionals, forensic scientists, exonerees and scholars.

Our goal is to examine reforms that have worked and problems that remain, and to chart an ambitious course for the next generation of criminal justice reform.

Who Should Attend?

All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Admission is free to some as described in the registration section.

Topics and Faculty

The faculty list and agenda will be posted as they become available.

Topics will include:

• A reminder of the leading causes of wrongful convictions—eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, unreliable or invalidated forensic evidence, untruthful informant testimony, ineffective assistance, tunnel vision and official misconduct.
• A consideration of nationally recognized best practices in law enforcement investigation, evidence collection, and eyewitness identification procedures to minimize errors and strengthen case integrity. (TCOLE credit eligible)
• An evaluation of the reliability and admissibility of forensic evidence and laboratory practices.
• A discussion of ethical and legal disclosure obligations.
• A look at the evolving role of Conviction Integrity Units, and post-conviction DNA and non-DNA litigation strategies in correcting and deterring wrongful convictions.

MCLE Credit

This course will be submitted to the Texas State Bar for MCLE and ethics credit. The amount of available credit is not yet known.

In addition to Texas, after the program (if requested) CAIL will directly apply for course accreditation in the following states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required: California, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Attorneys may be eligible to receive CLE credit through attorney self-submission in other states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required to be submitted.

Overnight Accommodations

Hotel information will be posted when it becomes available, no later than 60 days before the course.

Scholarship Policy

• First three years of practice in the field
• Submission of a qualifying statement (150 words or less) or a reference letter, at least four weeks before the event

Priority may be given to those with a recommendation letter. Scholarships are awarded three weeks before the course and must be accepted within 24 hours. If declined, the opportunity passes to the next qualifying candidate.

Scholarship decisions are based on need and merit and are subject to approval by CAIL staff. Successful applicants will be reimbursed for eligible travel expenses after attending, in accordance with grant guidelines and restrictions. Covered expenses may include:

• Transportation (airfare, bus, mileage)
• Lodging
• Meals during travel (lunches provided at the event)
• Full tuition waiver

Tuition Waiver Policy

Other Information

Photo/Audio/Video Release

Registration for or attendance at this event acknowledges consent to be recorded or photographed. We reserve the right to use any photograph/video taken at our events, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. We may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, annual reports, newsletters, etc. To ensure the privacy of individuals, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject.

Cancellation Policy

Written cancellation must be received 5 business days prior to a program to receive a refund (Email: lgaspar@cailaw.org). After this date, no refunds, but substitution of attendees for this program will be permitted with prior approval. Registrants not entitled to a refund will receive the course materials. Note: Free registrants must attend the program to receive materials at no cost.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

The Center for American and International Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status in educational activities, scholarship programs or admissions.

Privacy Policy

We do not sell or rent information to any outside parties. By providing your information, you will receive postal and electronic communications from The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) in accordance with CAIL's Privacy Policy. If we co-sponsor a program with another organization, information may be shared between the parties. All such co-sponsors will be identified on the event details and registration page. At any point, you can opt-out or unsubscribe by selecting either link at the bottom of each email or call us at 972.244.3400.